Majority rules!
Supposedly the wisdom of democracy is imbedded in its people. When they get together and vote, the correct path should open up in front of the majority and all must submit to that wisdom.
Supposedly.
Shammua, Shaphat, Igal, Palti, Gaddiel, Gaddi, Ammiel, Sethur, Nahbi and Geuel are ten names that are famous for one thing (Numbers 13:4-16). They all stood against Joshua and Caleb and opened a path of destruction as they voted against the Lord.
Numbers 14 shows the indignant response of the Lord as He curses the people who are 21 and older (14:29-34), proclaiming that they will all die in the 40 wilderness years ahead. All except Joshua and Caleb, the faithful minority. The people foolishly try to move into the land and are chased out by the Amalekites and Canaanites because, as Moses had said, "...the Lord is not AMONG you" (14:42).
Some time later, a Levite named Korah (Numbers 16) had gotten together his own congregation to whom he had been preaching lies. His first sermon series was "We are as Holy as Moses." His second series was "There are many lands of Milk and Honey." (He had Oprah on his talk show that month...) When he preached his Biggie sermon, " The Lord really is AMONG us," the senate and representatives (16:1-2) showed up to vote the blasphemy of the majority -- similar to the abomination of desolation.
Korah was trying to reverse the curse of the Lord against himself and his elder assembly. (It is appropriate that he is linked to Cain in Jude 11 since Cain had worked to reverse the the curse on the earth by using innocent blood as fertilizer. See post on July 14, 2012, "Fruits of Cain.") Korah's preached perspective was that Moses had exalted himself and was ignoring the intrinsic holiness of all the people (like imbedded wisdom...). The Lord made Moses understand (16:9-11) that Korah was covetous of God's choice of servants and desired the office of High Priest. He wanted to be exalted instead of humble, as were Moses and Aaron.
The showdown commenced and Moses, the Lord's prophet, could envision the demonic diggers of Tophet (the pit -- see Isaiah 30:33) which had been told by God to dig uphill for a change -- under the camp of Korah. The one who desired a high pulpit would find the bowels of the earth as his new home. Moses pronounces a new thing; a path by which humans can enter the realm of hell without going by way of death. Korah and his crew are devoured by the pit while still alive as the Lord vetoes the majority vote against Aaron.
The Bible makes clear that "elect" is inextricably linked to "servant." (Isaiah 42:4, etc.) Any attempt to make "elect" mean "mastery" of "rule" or, being powerful to declare, as a mere human, "who are his and who is holy" (16:5), will be met with Tophet. The unbiblical notions of reprobation (who are damned and who are unholy) that Calvin inflicted upon his followers are a smoke screen for declaring that "elect" should be redefined as "master." Moses makes a clear case that God alone can declare and demonstrate "who are His and who are holy."
The blessing that God has given to all of mankind is that sinners who would be servants may stand upon the firm ground at the foot of the cross of Jesus. The cross is the new path that God has provided for sinners to enter His eternal realm through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Come to the cross.
Supposedly the wisdom of democracy is imbedded in its people. When they get together and vote, the correct path should open up in front of the majority and all must submit to that wisdom.
Supposedly.
Shammua, Shaphat, Igal, Palti, Gaddiel, Gaddi, Ammiel, Sethur, Nahbi and Geuel are ten names that are famous for one thing (Numbers 13:4-16). They all stood against Joshua and Caleb and opened a path of destruction as they voted against the Lord.
Numbers 14 shows the indignant response of the Lord as He curses the people who are 21 and older (14:29-34), proclaiming that they will all die in the 40 wilderness years ahead. All except Joshua and Caleb, the faithful minority. The people foolishly try to move into the land and are chased out by the Amalekites and Canaanites because, as Moses had said, "...the Lord is not AMONG you" (14:42).
Some time later, a Levite named Korah (Numbers 16) had gotten together his own congregation to whom he had been preaching lies. His first sermon series was "We are as Holy as Moses." His second series was "There are many lands of Milk and Honey." (He had Oprah on his talk show that month...) When he preached his Biggie sermon, " The Lord really is AMONG us," the senate and representatives (16:1-2) showed up to vote the blasphemy of the majority -- similar to the abomination of desolation.
Korah was trying to reverse the curse of the Lord against himself and his elder assembly. (It is appropriate that he is linked to Cain in Jude 11 since Cain had worked to reverse the the curse on the earth by using innocent blood as fertilizer. See post on July 14, 2012, "Fruits of Cain.") Korah's preached perspective was that Moses had exalted himself and was ignoring the intrinsic holiness of all the people (like imbedded wisdom...). The Lord made Moses understand (16:9-11) that Korah was covetous of God's choice of servants and desired the office of High Priest. He wanted to be exalted instead of humble, as were Moses and Aaron.
The showdown commenced and Moses, the Lord's prophet, could envision the demonic diggers of Tophet (the pit -- see Isaiah 30:33) which had been told by God to dig uphill for a change -- under the camp of Korah. The one who desired a high pulpit would find the bowels of the earth as his new home. Moses pronounces a new thing; a path by which humans can enter the realm of hell without going by way of death. Korah and his crew are devoured by the pit while still alive as the Lord vetoes the majority vote against Aaron.
The Bible makes clear that "elect" is inextricably linked to "servant." (Isaiah 42:4, etc.) Any attempt to make "elect" mean "mastery" of "rule" or, being powerful to declare, as a mere human, "who are his and who is holy" (16:5), will be met with Tophet. The unbiblical notions of reprobation (who are damned and who are unholy) that Calvin inflicted upon his followers are a smoke screen for declaring that "elect" should be redefined as "master." Moses makes a clear case that God alone can declare and demonstrate "who are His and who are holy."
The blessing that God has given to all of mankind is that sinners who would be servants may stand upon the firm ground at the foot of the cross of Jesus. The cross is the new path that God has provided for sinners to enter His eternal realm through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Come to the cross.
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